The Ayala High School running back/defensive back is well known to coaches in the Sierra League as one of the most dangerous players their teams will face this season.

But outside of that coaching circle, not many other coaches or fans have heard his name as often as they should. That could start changing in a big way on Friday when Robinson and the Bulldogs host two-time defending CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division champion Monrovia. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

“We’ve been watching film all week,” Robinson said of Monrovia. “They have athletes, but they’re not unbeatable. I want to just go out there and show our team can compete with these guys.

“They’re ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in your poll and if we go out there and beat them then we’re definitely making a statement that we can compete.”

Even with Monrovia coming to town, the spotlight will also be shining on the Bulldogs, who have gotten plenty of hype this offseason and are ranked No. 8 in the Tribune’s latest area rankings. Monrovia is the No. 1 team in the Pasadena Star-News rankings.

For Monrovia, the expectations are nothing new. But for Ayala, so many expecting such big things is a change from the norm.

“I think it’s right,” Robinson said of the rankings. “We have a nice team. We have athletes. We just didn’t put it together as well as we should have last year. This year, we’re a year older and we’ve been through it. I’m pretty sure we can turn it around.”

Ahh, last year. That’s probably the reason why Robinson isn’t yet on the radar of college recruiters like he should be. There’s no doubt he’s one of the best athletes around, but Ayala’s struggles in the won-loss column may be why so many folks just don’t know it.

Robinson is bent on using his senior season to make up for that. He started last week by rushing for 207 yards and three touchdowns in a 46-17 win over Diamond Bar. For Robinson, it was just a continuation of 2011, in which he ran for over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns.

But now, stats are just as important as wins, because the more Ayala puts itself on the map, the more eyes will be opened to Robinson’s talents.

Beating Monrovia would be a great way to super charge the process.

When Robinson is on offense, he’ll be trying to plow through a Monrovia defense led by the linebacker duo of Colorado-bound George Frazier V and Northwestern-bound Brett Walsh.

When Robinson is playing corner back on defense, he will be trying to cover either Mason Bryant or Anthony Craft, both of whom already have multiple Division I college offers.

“Honestly, I can’t tell you why I don’t have any offers yet,” Robinson said. “I’m not a college coach, so I don’t know exactly why.”

Robinson and his senior classmates went undefeated as freshmen in 2009.

Their success hasn’t translated to the varsity level yet. As sophomores, only a handful of that class was pulled up to varsity, including Robinson, who broke his leg after four games. The team won just four games and was blanked in the Sierra League.

Last year, the Bulldogs won just three games, but at least one of them came in league. This is the ballyhooed class’ final attempt to deliver under the lights on all the promise they showed four years ago.

“It definitely motivates us,” Robinson said. “We’re all together now again and we’re clicking. It can only get better from here.”

“We definitley can compete with the Sierra League. It’s a tough league, but we have the athletes and the skill players to do it. It’s just about putting it all together.”

About Fred Robledo

Jordan is a very dangerous player and will be a hard RB to shut down. Because he can run, catch and line up at RB or WR, you practically can create some match up issues vs our Big LB’s. I like what he has to say. Monrovia’s track record has shown, that were are beatable in games like this. If the Cats are going to win, they are going to have neutralize this kid. Shutting down a player like this isn’t going to happen. However, Jordan, is going to have to use a lot of energy on the Defensive side of the ball. If we work him on Defense and Offense, maybe he slows down a little bit. We can not allow this kid to have 200 yrds. If that happens, we are probably losing the battle up from and probably playing from behind. I rather him have more Rec yards than rushing, which would probably mean, they are trying to get back in the game and need to throw. I expect the cats LB’s to Hit hard, and make him earn every yard. I think Robinson, will get a offer to play DB. He reminds me of Dionza Blue over at Bishop and Deshawn Love over at West Covina. Dangerous from Def, Off and special teams.

s.g.v legend

U writers are still not giving Ainsworth his props as he go into his senior year, coming from the volts to the cats, but we all shall see who the who the real players are in the next few weeks, starting Friday night at ayala. He will shine!

s.g.v legend

Ainsworth is not only playing running back but he is also i n that linebacker combo duo, what ever u want to call it! Keep sleeping on him!

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